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Bryan Alzate serves as our Chief Executive Officer. Bryan has a vested passion to assist those struggling with substance abuse, as he is an active member of the recovery community with over 10 years substance abuse free. Bryan attended Florida Atlantic University before co-founding the United Recovery Project. Bryan brings 9 years of substance abuse treatment experience to URP. It is his goal to provide a safe, healing environment where clients are given the tools needed to achieve total health and wellness.
An extensive background holding different job titles within the industry precedes Kayla’s current role as Director of Human Resources. Kayla oversees anything and everything pertaining to our talented team personnel, from benefits and employee relations to payroll. Her expertise in this area has helped our facilities pass numerous Department of Children and Families and Joint Commission audits, by ensuring that all of our employees follow the required standards. Kayla takes pride in building strong, collaborative teams of personnel and encouraging a fun, friendly, and positive work environment that helps us provide our clients with high-quality substance abuse treatment. Kayla has been in long term recovery herself and is passionate about the healing process and making the most of second chances in life.
“She believed she could, so she did.” -R.S. Grey
Dr. Mantero as he likes to be called is a graduate of University of Sevilla School of Medicine in Sevilla, Spain. He graduated Medical School in 1981 and commenced afterwards his career as Medical Professional. Subsequently Dr. Mantero earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Biochemistry and a Master’s in Public Health & Epidemiology at the University of Miami Medical School. He was a faculty for over 15 years at the University of Miami School of Medicine/Jackson Memorial Hospital. He also served as a leader in the Behavioral units at different local hospitals in Miami including Cedars Hospital, Mercy hospital, Kendall Regional Hospital, Southernwind Hospital where he concentrated in General Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine (Addictionologist). Dr. Mantero serves as our Medical Director for all our levels of care including detox and PHP/IOP/OP programs and oversees the entire medical staff including APRN’s, RN’s and LPN’s.
After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida International University and two Masters degrees from Columbia University, Alexia became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida. Alexia specializes in the treatment of addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders, clinical programming/operations, and performance improvement strategies. Alexia has worked at some of South Florida’s most respected institutions and has acquired a breadth of knowledge and experience working alongside leaders in the behavioral health community for the last decade. Alexia strives to offer every one of our clients truly individualized treatment planning by utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach that considers our clients’ emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs in order to help them and their families find wellness and recovery. As Clinical Director, Alexia also strives to develop clinical programming and clinical staff trainings that will continue to meet our clients’ growing needs, stay current on the latest substance abuse research and standards of care, as well as provide a strong aftercare planning component in order to help our clients sustain long-term success.
“Enlightenment, peace, and joy will not be granted by someone else. The well is within us.”- Thich Nhat Hanh
Adam joined United Recovery Project as the VP of Admissions in 2018, whose responsibilities include managing the admissions and outreach team, overseeing insurance benefits, pre-assessments, and ensuring the process from the initial phone call to the client entering our facility is done with exceptional customer service. Adam was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, raised in Lexington, Kentucky and relocated to South Florida in 2008. Adam studied at the University of Cincinnati and Broward College prior to entering the behavioral healthcare industry in 2012. Adam previously worked for an addiction treatment center for 6 years where he gained his experience and leadership. Being in recovery himself, he wanted to help others achieve the same freedom. Adam takes great pride in his teams’ approach as they compassionately guide our clients towards their first step into recovery.
Patrick started working in the substance abuse treatment field as a Behavioral Health Technician. Patrick, being in recovery himself, loves helping others by sharing his experience with not only being an addict in the grips of addiction, but also as someone living life clean in recovery. Patrick started at United Recovery Project as an Outreach Coordinator and worked his way up to Admissions Director by strengthening his ability to communicate with people in need as well as their families in the treatment process. Patrick is originally from Austin, TX where he attended the University of Texas. He began his journey of recovery in South Florida. He believes positive energy and never giving up are his strong suits.
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.” – Mark Twain
After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida International University and two Masters degrees from Columbia University, Alexia became a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Florida. Alexia specializes in the treatment of addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders, clinical programming/operations, and performance improvement strategies. Alexia has worked at some of South Florida’s most respected institutions and has acquired a breadth of knowledge and experience working alongside leaders in the behavioral health community for the last decade. Alexia strives to offer every one of our clients truly individualized treatment planning by utilizing a multi-disciplinary approach that considers our clients’ emotional, psychological, and spiritual needs in order to help them and their families find wellness and recovery. As Clinical Director, Alexia also strives to develop clinical programming and clinical staff trainings that will continue to meet our clients’ growing needs, stay current on the latest substance abuse research and standards of care, as well as provide a strong aftercare planning component in order to help our clients sustain long-term success.
“Enlightenment, peace, and joy will not be granted by someone else. The well is within us.”- Thich Nhat Hanh
Bio coming soon
Jeffrey Smith was raised and educated in Central New Jersey before enlisting in the U.S. Navy. Once he was honorably discharged Jeffrey went on to a career in Logistics Management before becoming personally affected by the disease of addiction. Jeffrey has lived in South Florida for over 8 years and has worked in the behavioral health and substance abuse field for the last 7 years. Jeffrey saw that the utilization review process had become sterile and impersonal, where the patient and client was lost in the medical terminology and rhetoric. What this produced was a scenario where patients and clients were unable to receive the level of care they needed, because the insurers were more apt to think of the patient and client as a number and not a person. Jeffrey believes and implements a personal approach to the utilization review process that ensures integrity, ethics and compassion.
“Utilization Review: We fight for the people who cannot fight for themselves.”
Bio coming soon
Alyssa is our Director of Finance who joined the team in September 2018. Alyssa brings 12 years of experience in accounting, finance, and management. Her education and experience bring a wealth of knowledge to United Recovery Project. She is inspired by the dedication and devotion of the staff here at URP. She believes mentoring and uplifting staff is crucial in the success of a company.
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” -Confucius
Floyd Rogers was born and raised in Ohio and relocated to Florida 2013. He has a strong background in maintenance with over 15 years of experience in the industry working on rental properties, commercial properties, and treatment centers. Floyd is responsible for the grounds and maintenance repair of all URP facilities. In his personal time, he enjoys nature adventures, spending time with his family, and fishing.
“God may not come when you want him, but he is always on time.”
Yuta was born in Buffalo, New York and moved to South Florida as a child. He began his journey of recovery in 2010. He brings to United Recovery Project his experience of working in the field of addiction in multiple facets of operations over the previous years. He graduated from the Academy of Addiction Professionals in 2013 and since then has used his passion for recovery to help the next sick and suffering addict or alcoholic.
Charlie joined United Recovery Project as an Admissions Coordinator in early of 2018. Soon after that, he was promoted to Client Care Specialist, whose responsibilities include assisting the clinical team with client care, coordinating the admissions process, liaison between clients and families, and making sure all clients enter our facilities safely. Charlie is a born and raised South Floridian who is an active member of the recovery community. He is genuinely vested and passionate about helping others whom struggle with substance abuse. As a native South Floridian, Charlie is an ardent Miami Hurricanes fan.
“Everything you ever wanted is on the other side of fear.” -George Addair
Ashleigh comes to United Recovery Project with nearly a decade of experience in behavioral health care and 6 years specifically in substance abuse treatment. Ashleigh received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Keene State College, a master’s degree in clinical social work from Florida Atlantic University and is a Certified Addiction Professional. Ashleigh believes in a holistic view of addiction recovery and uses strengths-based and client-centered interventions to help clients overcome their unique challenges and move toward their goals. As the Director of the Intensive Outpatient Program and psychotherapist, Ashleigh oversees daily outpatient program operations and ensures that all clients are supported in reaching their greatest potential.
“What lies before us and what lies behind us are small matters compared to what lies within us. And when you bring what is within out into the world, miracles happen.” -Henry Stanley Haskins
Ali is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) in the state of Florida who is passionate and dedicated to helping those battling the disease of addiction. She believes in the healing power of connection, making it her mission to foster a strong therapeutic alliance and relationship with all of her clients.
Ali approaches therapy from a humanistic perspective, taking the stance that everyone is capable of reaching their full potential in life. Her goal as a therapist is to help her clients develop a stronger, healthier sense of self and assist them in accessing and understanding their emotions, in order to create meaning in their lives.
Ali believes in meeting each individual client where they’re at in their recovery process, therefore she utilizes an eclectic approach to treating her clients. As a therapist trained in Gestalt Therapy, Ali helps her clients to face reality, take accountability and responsibility over their lives, increase their self-awareness into destructive patterns of behavior, improve their ability to remain in the present moment and resolve any unfinished business or emotional blocks that may be contributing to their continued substance use.
While her therapeutic foundation is rooted in Gestalt Therapy, Ali also employs cognitive behavioral interventions, motivational interviewing strategies and person-centered techniques to facilitate growth and change with her clients.
Ali comes to the United Recovery Project with several years of experience working in the Addiction/Dual Diagnosis Treatment field. She has worked with a diverse population of clients on various issues such as substance abuse, PTSD, trauma, childhood abuse, grief & loss, combat related stress, depression, anxiety, anger, relational distress, defiance towards authority, treatment resistance and relapse proneness.
Ali received her B.A. degree in Psychology at Florida Atlantic University. She attended graduate school at Nova Southeastern University, where she acquired her M.S. degree in Mental Health Counseling. Ali received training in Traumatic Incident Reduction therapy (TIR) and is currently pursuing her MCAP.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” -Maya Angelou
Micah B. Goldstein is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He brings to the United Recovery Project family over 30 years of experience practicing the art of social work in a variety of locations and with a diverse client population. Micah received his BSW from the University of Kansas in 1985 and his MSW from Yeshiva University in New York City in 1989. There he worked in Bedford-Stuyvesant Brooklyn with chronic multi problem families. In 1990 he had his first experience in the field of addiction working in two different residential treatment programs, Contact Pride Site in the East Village and Phoenix House on Wards Island. In 1994 he moved to Miami Beach, FL and took a job as a clinical social worker on the geriatric psychiatry unit of the then Miami Heart Institute. He became an LCSW in 1995. In 1996 he began facilitating group psychotherapy in numerous partial hospital programs and intensive outpatient programs. He also received his certification as a qualified social work supervisor. In 2000 he opened his own private practice on Miami Beach specializing in, among other things, the treatment of mood disorders. He then returned to facilitating groups at the partial hospital program of Larkin Community Hospital in Miami. In March of 2017 he was hired as a group facilitator at United Recovery Project. In August of 2018 he was offered an opportunity to increase his role and responsibility at URP and became a primary therapist in the Intensive Outpatient Program.
“Just to be is a blessing. Just to live is holy.” -Abraham Joshua Heschel
Billy joined United Recovery Project in April 2017 as a BHT for the IOP Program. He has served as Lead BHT and currently as Case Manager. Billy is a graduate of Stony Brook University in New York and holds the credential of Certified Recovery Residence Administrator from the Florida Certification Board. He is furthering his education at Addiction Academy for Professionals to pursue his Certified Addiction Counselor certification. His passion for helping others stems from his own personal recovery and experiences.
“Today well lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope. Look well therefore to this day.” -Francis Gray
Sarah is United Recovery Project’s Alumni Coordinator. Originally from Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Sarah decided to completely change people, places and things, and relocated to South Florida to begin her journey in recovery. Her responsibilities include day-to-day operations, maintaining contact with our Alumni program, and coordinating Alumni events. Sarah is incredibly passionate about her job and loves helping others get back on their feet to realize and achieve their full potential.
“Where there is breath, there is hope.”